Bits and Pieces for the Last Day of the Year

-Michael Jordan was the third pick in the 1984 NBA draft.  Do you remember who the first two picks were?  Go to the provided link for the answer.

(Why MJ is on my mind: Went to town yesterday and to the Loogootee Library to get our 2010 membership and also to pick up a couple of books to read over the next week or two.  Lo and behold, I found one of my favorite authors, David Halberstam, and a book of his that I had not read: Playing for Keeps - Michael Jordan and the World He Made.  Well into it and it's a good one.  The second book: Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol.  And, as long as I'm talking about books, Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers, The Story of Success, is a very good read - Christmas present from Diane.)

-Tiger Woods still being talked about but it seems to me the stories are less about his troubles and more about his success these past many years.  Think that is good as PGA needs to do some damage control to protect its number one draw, the guy who doubles attendance and viewing when he is somewhere in the neighborhood.  The PGA without Tiger would be like the Colts showing up without Payton Manning.  Not a pretty picture.

-Haven't played golf in what seems like ages.  About time we had another day in the high 40's, low 50's, don't you think?  December was not a good month for golfers - very few days play worthy.  Send prayers and gifts to weather goddess.  (Pulled up to the bank window when in town the other day and, after taking care of business, asked if Dave W. was around.  Nope - on his way to Florida.  That's one way to take care of the golf withdrawals - go where the weather is much more golfer friendly.)

-Last day of the year 2009.  Hope you all made some good memories during its 365 days.  And may the New Year bring lots of opportunities for more of the same.  Have a safe New Year's eve and a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Bits and Pieces for a Monday Morning

-Colts lose; boos heard in Lucas Stadium and around Colt country.  Rightly so, me thinks.  I booed the decision myself - I watched in Bloomington (with Miki, Kevin and Kevin's parents).  You play to win, period.  The Colts didn't.  Bob Kravitz at the Indy Star gives Colt management the what for.

-Urban Meyer flip-flops at Florida.  Makes sense for him to take a leave of absence, regain his health and then come back.  He's only 45 years old.

-Where is Tiger Woods?  This report shows him still in Florida.  Where's Elin?  And the kids?  Not a good Christmas for that family.

-Snow (just a dusting, really) and cold putting a stop to golfing in Lakeview country.  Best try out those new clubs in your basement or garage.

Good Tidings!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that stuff to you all. 

Bits and Pieces for a Day Before Christmas

-Bric Parker was out a couple of days ago, trying out some new clubs. He really liked the chipper that he bought though in the above picture, think it's his new putter he is unsheathing. They are to be cleaned up and put under the tree as soon as he got home.

-Larry Wininger was out yesterday trying out his own new set of clubs - Clevelands irons and a couple of Taylor Made hybrids. His early take: it wasn't the clubs. My thought: give it time - good clubs make a difference.

-Tom Hayes, a Washington native, was also out and talked a bit about the Lion-Hatchet boys basketball game played the other night and how Cody Zeller was bloddied up in the affair.

-Have seen several of you, or one of your loved ones, out at the house picking up 2010 memberships. Even dropped one of them off in Washington yesterday since I was heading that way on Santa errands (and also to take some street photos - see one them here).

-Expected to play a little golf today with temperatures supposedly hovering around 50 degrees. But looks like we're in for a day of rain as well. Should have taken advantage of the last two days as several golfers did. Alas, had other things to do.

-Hope your holidays are going well and that this day before Christmas is when you find that perfect gift for your loved ones.

Bits and Pieces for a Thursday Morning

- When will TW be back?  You can vote here.  I predict by the Masters in 2010, which means a couple of weeks earlier at least, and that is even without wife Elin leaving him for good as reported here.  But that would seal the deal to my way of thinking.

- Tiger named AP athlete of the decade.  Of course. Expect him to be the same for the next ten years.

- Today a high of 43, tomorrow a high of 47.  Golf weather?

December Golfer

Chuck Baker came out and played this past Monday, one of the few decent days we've had to golf in this month of December. Jack Lents, Kenny Hudson, Jack Butcher and I were also out there trading quarters and hooting and hollering about one thing and another.

Bits and Pieces for a Monday Morning

- Course will be open for play today at 11am.  Looks like today is it for another spell.

- Colts and Saints still undefeated.  Go for it, guys.  Here's Wojciechowski's take on the perfect season - he also wants to see the teams go for it.  After yesterday's second and third quarter disappearance of the Colt offense, think they definitely need to keep playing.

- Tiger gone to whenever.  Was up at son Marty's house for the weekend and talking with a diverse group of people Saturday evening.  Talked about golf just for a little bit, and, guess what?  Tiger and his troubles did not come up.  Not once.  Never.  That is, until Sunday morning when I mentioned that I was specifically looking for Tiger to be mentioned - one of the espn pundits had said that TW was going to be brought up wherever people gathered.  Well, guess most other people have other things to think about rather than Tiger's infidelities, etc.

- Wie has hugh final round but still comes up short - finishes 2nd to Kim at the Dubai Masters. 

Bits and Pieces for a Saturday Morning

- Tiger taking an indefinite break from his job.  Well, maybe it's more of a passion or a hobby than a job (line of work?) since he certainly doesn't do it for the money - and, come to think of it, lots of people don't do it for the money.  Guess athletes in team sports would not have the option of taking such a break - don't recall any that have.  Well, here's to a speedy return of the world's best athlete to his march toward many of golf's records.

- Korean Lady Golfers - having fun at their awards ceremony - at SeoulSisters via Mostly Harmless.  Great photos of the girls in off the golf course activities including lots at the dance studio (?) getting ready for the awards show.

- Not seeing any fourth round results for the Ladies Dubai Masters yet.

Bits and Pieces for a Friday Morning

- ND decides on Brian Kelly from Cincinnati. All I hear so far is high praise on the choice and some not so happy players at Cincy who will go to the Sugar Bowl without him.  All the Irish fans expect the new coach to repeat his success at Cincy and Central Michigan.  Let's see, that would mean an undefeated season and certainly a spot in the national championship game in 2012?  Or maybe he does an Ara and then a couple of minutes better by running the table next year.  Go for the moon, guys.  More here from the NY Times. 

- Jack Nicklaus on Tiger Woods: "None of my business."  Good for Jack.  Now how about a word from Arnie.

-Michelle Wie playing in Dubai at the Ladies Masters.  After three rounds, she is tied for 4th at -8 and trails In-Kyung Kim by six strokes.  She lost four strokes on the leader during the 3rd round.  Kim playing very well.  Be a good time for a fantastic Wie final round and a second win of the year.

- Lowly Browns best Super Bowl champs last night.  Five straight losses for the Steelers, three of them to the bottom dwellers - Kansas City, Oakland and now the Browns.  Something bad going on in Steelerville.

- Latest weather projections suggest a 53 degree day next Monday.  Chance for a few showers.  Then more cold.  Golfing weather?  Maybe.

Bits and Pieces for a Wednesday Morning

- Rick Reilly and his drastic messages at espn.com is full of baloney suggesting Tiger needs to get rid of his caddy and his agent and his professional life and not play golf for several months.  Let's tank Rick Reilly.

- Did you know it got into the 50's last night?  Lots of wind as well.  When I woke up, I was hoping for those warm temps, to go play golf, of course,  but no such luck - back down in the high 30's.  And the wind is still howling.

- My vote for Heisman Trophy: Mark Ingrahm, Alabama running back - he was brilliant against Florida and his team is unbeaten and ranked #1 (Stanford's Gerhart was super against ND but his team is far from unbeaten and not even in the top ten).  Top three in this graph at espn.com lacks a quarterback.  When was the last time you saw that happen?

- Another good day to curl up with a book - I'm reading Jeffrey Toobin's The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court.  Stayed up late last night getting through the 2000 election - you remember the one where the Supreme Court gave the election to the Bush man?  Had me all riled up - couldn't get to sleep for the longest time.  It's a good read - have even had some chuckles at the expense of Scalia, Rehnquist and the like.  Did you realize that Justice Ginsburg is just about 5' tall?  Tiny woman standing tall.

Bits and Pieces for a Tuesday

- Guess Clausen and Tate aren't going to be at ND next year; they both declared for the NFL draft yesterday.  Dang.

- On Tiger's woes and the lesson to be learned by other golfers/athletes/men/women: Human nature is human nature and if you don't want people to realize that you are human, then you had better close yourself up in a black box somewhere and never do nothing.  Of course, you've got to realize that people are going to be talking about what you're doing in that black box all by yourself.

- On Tiger's choice of women: a little brassy for my taste but then that probably has more to do with the choice of photos than with the real people.  Editors are going to edit to enhance their story, right?  Push their point of view?

- Question:  Do you think it's easier for the rich and famous to be mortified than it is for the likes of us more common folk?

- Question 2: At what point does the public's disgust (?) with Tiger turn to disgust with the media for going on and on?

- Question: Can this marriage be saved?  Note: Bill and Hillary are still together...

- Think I'll go clear my head, do some exercises, have breakfast, bury myself in a work of fiction - this reality stuff's getting a bit heavy and, if you haven't noticed, it ain't all it's cracked up to be...



 

Bits and Pieces for a Monday Morning

- Ho hum - Colts win another though don't need a fourth quarter comeback this time - beat the Titans and the previously invincible Vince Young, 27-17.  I even went into Loogootee and took in the Christmas parade - photos here - after watching the beginning of the game.  Got home to see most of the fourth quarter.

- At the Tiger event out in California, Jim Furyk won with a couple of clutch putts on the last two holes.  Second place went to Graeme McDowell, the guy who made it into the game when Tiger pulled out.  How's that for a little irony?  Bet Tiger is very happy for him, that is if he is thinking much about golf these days. 

- Just opened the drapes and saw that we have white fluffy stuff on the ground.  Pretty but I hope it all disappears quickly (Diane says that would be plenty for the season for her.).  And as long as I'm hoping, how about two or three or ten days with temperatures in the fifties and sixties in this here month of December, starting tomorrow.

- Went to the Lion boys basketball game Friday night.  Impressive win over Wood Memorial.  Lots of big guys on the team this year - that's unusual, isn't it?  Good three point shooting team with even the tall timber able to knock down the long shots.  Was impressed by Stephen Bradley's moves to the hoop late in the game.  Lots of golfers out there playing - Bradley, Hogan, Ackerman, Tucker, Diving (a little), Burch - I like to see that.

- Notre Dame football news - no bowl game this year, no new coach yet.  Me thinks he needs to get on board, whomever he is, and do some recruiting and some convincing as well.  That would be convincing Clausen and Tate to stick around another year.  Question: is Clausen really a hot NFL prospect?  Eric thinks not; the lad does have superb pocket skill and a good arm and pretty good judgment back there - his td to interception ratio is super.  Can understand why the pros would be interested.  Tate is outstanding in my books, much better than Floyd.  Want them all back for next year.

Membership 2010 Notice

Diane is sending out the 2010 membership notice later this morning.  If we have your most recent address and you are a current member, expect one in the mail shortly.  Below are the contents of that mailing:

          Lakeview Golf Course                            

                          It's 2010 membership time!

                     Makes a great Christmas gift, too!

        Buy before January 1st and take a $25 discount !

        Single Adult  (21 through 54)                            $275

          Young Adult  (18 through 20)                            $175

          Junior (Under 18)                                                 $125

          Senior (55 and older)                                           $235

          Senior & Spouse (one must be 55)                  $300

          Couple (through age                                           $375

          Family (adult + spouse & child -or-

                     adult and 2 children under 18)            $400 

         (Family additional child......................$  30)

          (Family "Child" = under 18 unless still in high school)

       Mail to: - 12854 E 350 N - Loogootee - or call 295-5217

Bits and Pieces for a Thursday Morning

- Jeesh!  All the prattle about Tiger and some fan out in California, see Bob Harig's espn.com piece,  now wondering if all golfers are 'doing it.'  Unless I'm mistaken, they are all human and subject to the same kind of foibles as the rest of us.  I bet the French are again wondering what is it with these Americans. 

- Note to Tiger: hug Elin and your kids.  Note to Elin: hug Tiger and hold him close.

- Still no successor to CW at ND.  Stoops still in the running - read that the paperwork is being worked out on his hire.  You believe it?

- Love the photo of Michelle Wie on the cover of Golfweek.  Got the print issue in the mail yesterday.

- Did note that the Big Ten won two games last night and won their annual challenge with the ACC - that would be college men's basketball.

- Cool weather has put a stop to local golfing - dang.  Probably a good thing for me - got a knee and a back that are complaining, the knee now for several months, the back just from yesterday and some inappropriate lifting (went to the recycle center).

Bits and Pieces for a Tuesday

- Dang it!  Tiger unable to play this week.  Bummer.

-Bye, Charlie.  Irish coach for the last five years is history.  Lou Holtz on how long it would take the next coach to turn it around:  ...about the 2nd quarter (of the 1st game); 1st quarter if he's as good as Ara Parseghian.  (Gotta love Lou.)

-Think I've said this before: I graduated from ND in '61 after four years of dismal football - first four year class to go out with a losing football record (like that is important, right?).  Ara Parseghian arrived in 1964 while Diane and I were over in Japan and otherwise preoccupied with defending the free world and stamping 'made in Japan' on the flanks of our first two kids.  So, we missed what took place in that turnaround year in which (from wikipedia):

Parseghian was hired as Notre Dame's 22nd head coach, inheriting a team that had finished 2-7 in 1963 and taking it to within 1:33 of an undefeated season and a national championship in 1964.

Of course, he went on to have a brilliant coaching career at ND and finished with the best record in ND history.   Now for a trick question: Can you football and Irish junkies tell me what fantastic record Ara had at Northwestern from 1956 to 1963?  The wikipedia link above has the answer in the Northwestern (3rd) section of its report.  The answer will surprise you - it did me.

- Saints marvelous against the Patriots.  Didn't surprise me at all.  Now how about some chatter about two undefeated teams meeting in the super bowl come January, or is it February now?

- Golf day at Lakeview.  Frosty morning but the sun is rising fast and shining bright.